erasmio
Atlantic Edge LearningActive provider

Outdoor Learning by the Atlantic

Take your lessons outside: methods for outdoor and nature-based learning in any subject.

Outdoor Learning by the Atlantic

Course description

Outdoor learning improves wellbeing, engagement and understanding, yet many teachers do not know where to start. This course is taught largely outdoors on the beaches, dunes and parks around Porto. You will experience outdoor methods for maths, language, science, art and social studies, learn how to manage risk and behaviour outside, and plan regular outdoor sessions that fit your curriculum and school grounds. We also cover how to argue for outdoor learning with parents and school leaders. Bring weatherproof clothing: sessions run in all weather. Suitable for primary and lower secondary teachers, early years educators and school leaders.

Learning objective

Participants will be able to plan and lead safe outdoor lessons in their own school surroundings, adapt curriculum content from several subjects for outdoor settings, and set up a sustainable routine of regular outdoor learning at their school.

Teaching methods and assessment

Methods: experiential outdoor workshops, site visits, planning in international teams, trainer modelling and micro-teaching outdoors. Assessment: each participant leads a short outdoor activity for the group with structured feedback; daily reflection circle; final outdoor learning plan for the participant's own school.

Materials and learning resources

Outdoor activity cards for six subjects, risk assessment templates, course handbook (digital), equipment for all outdoor sessions (provided), reading list and links to European outdoor learning networks.

Course package

25 hours of training, outdoor equipment, course materials, certificate of attendance, Europass Mobility and Learning Agreement support, welcome get-together, evening walk along the Douro, coffee breaks, pre-departure info pack.

Course programme

DAY1

Why outdoors? First steps

Welcome at the training centre, participant presentations. The evidence for outdoor learning. First outdoor session in the city park: sensory and observation activities for any age group.

DAY2

Curriculum outdoors: maths, language, science

Beach day at Foz: measuring, estimating and data collection in the sand; vocabulary and storytelling outdoors; simple field science with tide pools.

DAY3

Managing risk and behaviour outside

Risk-benefit assessment in practice. Routines, boundaries and group management outdoors. Working with parents and school leaders. Visit to a Porto school with an outdoor learning programme.

DAY4

Dunes and forest: nature-based learning

Excursion to the coastal dunes north of Porto. Nature-based learning, biodiversity activities, arts and social studies outdoors. Participants lead their own mini-activities.

DAY5

Your outdoor learning plan

Planning regular outdoor sessions in the participants' own school grounds. Presentations and peer feedback. Erasmus+ documentation, evaluation and certificates.

Course locations

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